Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is convinced League One has yet to see the best of his team despite its recent form.

United climbed to fourth in the table after stretching their unbeaten run in the competition to seven games following last weekend’s draw with Fleetwood Town.

But Wilder, who revealed coaching staff have been forced to overcome a series of selection issues this month, insisted United’s new-look squad is still someway off achieving its potential.

“There’s more to come,” he said. “I’m sure of it because we haven’t been together as a group very long.

“The boys have done really well lately but there things we are still working on and looking to get better at. So, yes, we can improve on lots of different things. All aspects of our game.”

“That’s not a criticism,” Wilder added. “Far from it. It’s just a statement of fact because, like it or not, things do take time. So what we’ve got to do is keep driving ourselves forward, not settle for what we’ve got and keep showing the same character and attitude which has helped us get up the table.”

Sheffield United have not lost any of their last seven games in the competition �2016 Sport Image all rights reserved

United return to action when Port Vale visit Bramall Lane next weekend following the postponement of today’s game against Walsall due to international call-ups. Wilder, who has made no attempt to disguise the fact he would have preferred the fixture to go-ahead, nevertheless admitted it would allow medical staff to treat some of the “bumps and bruises” United’s players have collected since August.

Strikers Caolan Lavery and Leon Clarke both missed the trip to Highbury after being diagnosed with ankle problems.

“We’ve had a couple of lads out and, when they are back, we’ll be all the stronger for it without a doubt,” Wilder said. “They’ll give us options, including during the matches themselves, to change things about if need. To be able to give the opposition something to think about is always a nice ability to have.”

“Caolan strained his ankle ligament during the warm-up (against Bristol Rovers) recently. It’s nothing serious but you can’t take risks with things like that. It has to be right, the injury and the timing.

Chris Wilder is passionate about his job at Bramall Lane
�2016 Sport Image all rights reserved

“The same goes for Leon. He wasn’t playing at the top of his game. He had the (ankle) issue and was trying to manage his way through matches.

“Leon showed his character by always putting himself up to play but, in the end, we want him out there at the top of his game because we know what a big and dangerous player he can be for us this season.”